January 2002

From the editor

The American Family Voices and Visions

You may be a Ramirez, a Fong, a Romano, a Vanderpool, a Bukowski, or a Yazzie. You could even be a Smith or a Jones. Still, you are part of the American family. But what does it mean to be an American? In the shadow of September's national tragedy and the resulting strife, we wanted to step back and ask that simple question. We sought out a diverse group of our fellow citizens, including many you know quite well. Their thoughts and images collected here may lead you to cheer, they may call you to reflect, or they may cause you to consider your own answer to that same question.

Windows Wow

Pasta Pizzazz

For Our Members

Plan a Party

A Gift That's Tried and True

Sew Easy Windows

A straight seam, a handstitch, some clever shortcuts, and voilà! You have out-of-the-ordinary window treatments that require almost no sewing skills.

Ways with Entries

Home is the place you hang your hat. But don't let your entryway become the place you drop everything else. Sort through these simple clutter-busting ideas to create a clear path to your door.

Built-Ins Around the House

Instead of making storage an afterthought, build it in from the start. Whether you're planning to build a new house or refresh an existing one, built-ins can meet your storage needs with style and convenience.

Get Ready for Standardized Tests

Select the answer that best completes the following statement: Standardized tests... (a) Have been used by educators for generations (b) Are a controversial topic in schools today (c) Sometimes cause much anxiety in students and teachers (d) All of the above.

Our picks

The garden guys' yearly compendium of the brand-new and the tried-and-true.

Our picks 2002

We've done the shopping for you! Most of our garden-tested "picks" can be purchased from Better Homes and Gardens magazine. You may find some items to be in short supply in nurseries this spring; others, such as the perennials, have been grown especially for our readers. We ship at the proper time for planting in your zone. Please order early; quantities are limited and we fill orders on a first-come, first-served basis.

A simple style

There are days when I think, "If I see one more dinner plate, I'll scream." As a stylist and art director, my job is to shop for and prop photo shoots for magazines. I deal with lots of color and chaos by day, so at home I like simplicity and clean lines. To me, less is more serene. I'm not talking about an absence of creature comforts, but just enough. Plus, my Los Angeles home is so small that even one extra thing seems like clutter. Here's how I draw the line.

Suite redos

Attics converted into master suites are romantic and architecturally intriguing places. Take a look.

Eat Your Broccoli

Broccoli in all its glorious, green forms is a nutritional powerhouse packed with vitamin C, heart-protecting beta-carotene, and plant chemicals that may keep breast cancer at bay.

Quick Clicks to Health

The World Wide Web, with more than 20,000-plus health sites, may seem like a wild, wild world. So how do you avoid pitfalls-- misleading and biased information, charlatans, quacks, and such? Get started with this sampling of proven Internet addresses.

Playful puppets

We've got to hand it to you, these finger puppets are bundles of fun. Want to impress your family and friends with your very own puppet show? All it takes is a little time, a few easy-to-find items, and a colorful imagination.